Observer: Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita to replace Airlangga Hartarto as Golkar Party Chairman

Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, is predicted to become the chairman of the Golkar Party replacing Airlangga Hatarto who resigned on Saturday (10/8/2024). (Doc. Public Relations Ministry of Social Affairs)

Political observer from Paramadina University Ahmad Khoirul Umam estimates that the Deputy Chairperson of the Golkar Party DPP Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita will become the general chairman of the party to replace Airlangga Hartarto, who has resigned from his position.

"After Airlangga withdrew, the combination of two force carriages brought by Golkar cadres Bahlil Lahadalia and Agus Gumiwang joined into one. It is very likely that Agus Gumiwang, who reportedly clashed with Airlangga's strength, will occupy the position of General Chair of the Golkar Party," Umam said in a statement received by Antara in Jakarta, Sunday.

In addition, he said that the combined power of Agus and Bahlil could be a bridge to facilitate the joining of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his family after retirement on October 20, 2024.

Umam is of the opinion that Airlangam has been pushed back from the position of General Chair of the Golkar Party since before the 2024 General Election.

According to him, internal power factions of Golkar have various agendas of economic and political interests. For example, maintaining party political sovereignty from external interventions, some try to symbiosis with external forces close to power to influence and control party strategic political decisions.

He said that the internal Golkar factions moved back during the 2024 Pilkada period. This is because Airlangga's steps and decisions in a number of regional elections are considered less assertive and often create uncertainty.

"Therefore, political operations are running to raise speculative information about the movement of further investigations by law enforcement agencies on old issues where information has not been clarified," he said.

However, he said, Airlangga's leadership during his leadership of the Golkar Party should be appreciated.

"He was able to make brilliant achievements by obtaining 102 national parliamentary seats, or increasing 17 seats which is equivalent to 18 percent of the parliamentary power," he explained.